Hypnosis Cuts Hot Flashes in Postmenopausal Women

Reduction in hot flash frequency and score compared with structured-attention control

MONDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- For postmenopausal women, clinical hypnosis is associated with significant reductions in self-reported and physiologically measured hot flashes, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in Menopause.

Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and colleagues conducted a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial involving 187 postmenopausal women reporting a minimum of seven hot flashes per day (or at least 50 per week), who were allocated to receive five weekly sessions of either clinical hypnosis or structured-attention control. Hot flash frequency and score were assessed by daily diaries on weeks two to six and week 12.

"Future studies should investigate exactly how clinical hypnosis reduces hot flashes and explore efficient methods of dissemination," the authors write. "Safe and effective alternate therapies are needed, and clinical hypnosis reduced hot flashes in this study of postmenopausal women, although the mechanism of action is not yet understood."